The Brown Hooded Owlet Moth is a fascinating nocturnal creature with unique features and behaviors.
Native to North America, these moths are known for their distinct coloration and wing pattern.
Their forewings display a mix of gray-brown, red-brown, or light yellow-brown hues with a design of smooth lines and spots, which can vary depending on their location.
Source: Jerzy Strzelecki, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
They have a forewing length of 15 to 20 millimeters, making them quite easy to spot when they’re drawn towards lights or sugar baits.
As nocturnal insects, these moths play a vital role in pollination and ecosystem balance.
They are primarily active during the night, using their antennae to navigate and locate sources of food.
Additionally, the Brown Hooded Owlet Moth has a unique life cycle involving four developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
This fascinating moth is not only a captivating species to observe but also a reminder of the important roles insects play in our environment.
Basic Information
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Noctuidae
- Genus: Cucullia
- Species: C. convexipennis
Scientific Name
The Brown Hooded Owlet moth is scientifically known as Cucullia convexipennis. It was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote and Coleman Townsend Robinson.
This moth species belongs to the Noctuidae family, which is a part of the Lepidoptera order in the Insecta class. The Brown Hooded Owlet is a member of the genus Cucullia.
Characteristics of the Brown Hooded Owlet moth:
- Gray-brown, red-brown, or light yellow-brown forewings
- Smooth lines and spots on wings
- Two times as long as wide wings
In comparison to other moths, such as the Spongy Moth, the Brown Hooded Owlet has a more significant variability in coloration and a smaller wingspan.
The Spongy Moth has a wingspan of 1-1/2 to 2 inches, while the Brown Hooded Owlet has a wingspan of 15 to 20 millimeters.
| Feature | Brown Hooded Owlet | Spongy Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 15 to 20 mm | 1-1/2 to 2 inches |
| Coloration | Variable | Male: brown with darker brown pattern; Female: nearly white with dark saw-toothed pattern |
| Flight Capability | Both male and female can fly | Only male can fly; female lacks flight capability |
Physical Characteristics
Adult Moth
The adult Brown Hooded Owlet Moth (Cucullia convexipennis) is characterized by a mohawk-like appearance.
The moth has long, whitish hairs with brown tips all over its head. This “hood” resembles a mohawk hairstyle.
The moth is a light brown color, but the outermost, lower edges of the forewings darken.
Source: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
When the wings are open, the color is pale brown, but it gradually shifts to a darker tone near the edge.
When the wings are closed, the brown borders remain sharply visible.
The moth has a wingspan of 40–50 mm and the length of the forewings is 15–20 mm.
Caterpillar
The Brown Hooded Owlet Moth caterpillar is also commonly referred to as the “Brown-bordered Cucullia.”
Unlike the adult moth, the caterpillar has quite a colorful appearance.
Brown Hooded Owlet Moth Caterpillar
Its most prominent feature is the deep orange line that runs down the length of its body.
Combined with yellow and black markings, the caterpillar’s overall appearance is striking and often compared to a “Calico Paint.”
- Color: Colorful with deep orange line
- Common Name: Brown-bordered Cucullia, Calico Paint caterpillar
Life Cycle and Behavior
Eggs
The Brown Hooded Owlet Moth’s life cycle begins with the female laying small batches of eggs on the underside of leaves.
Their preferred host plants include:
- Willows
- Poplars
- Birches
The eggs will hatch into caterpillars within approximately one to two weeks, depending on environmental factors and temperature.
Larva
Once hatched, the larval stage, also known as caterpillars or Brown Hooded Owlet caterpillars, begins. They have unique features like:
- Colorful appearance
- Orange line through the middle
The aterpillars feed on the leaves of their host plants for several weeks.
Eventually, they will enter the pupal stage, forming a cocoon within which they will metamorphose into adult moths.
Adult Moth
Adult Brown Hooded Owlet Moths have a rather short lifespan. Key characteristics of this stage include:
- Dark brown-gray body
- White-bordered forewings
- Approximately 15-20 mm in length
As nocturnal creatures, Night-flying Brown Hooded Owlet Moths are attracted to lights and are active during the warmer months of the year.
Mating, egg-laying, and the end of their life cycle occur during this season.
The moths’ primary activity during their brief adult life consists of reproducing and seeking out their favorite host plants to lay their eggs.
Host Plants and Feeding
Preferred Plants
The Brown Hooded Owlet Moth primarily feeds on host plants such as goldenrod and asters. These wildflowers are essential for the moth’s larval development.
- Goldenrod: A popular choice for the Brown Hooded Owlet Moth, as it provides ample foliage for the larvae to consume.
- Asters: Another favored host plant, offering excellent nutrition for the developing larvae.
The Brown Hooded Owlet Moth is selective regarding its host plants.
However, they may occasionally feed on other wildflowers that are found within their habitat.
Habitat and Distribution
Geographical Range
The Brown Hooded Owlet Moth, known for its distinct appearance, has a distribution stretching across North America.
It can be found in the United States and Canada, inhabiting a wide range of habitats, such as:
- Forests
- Grasslands
- Gardens
Source: Flickr, Username: Seabrooke Leckie
The moth thrives in these diverse environments, where it feeds on a variety of host plants. Some examples of these plants include:
- Goldenrod (Solidago species)
- Asters (Aster species)
- Fleabane (Erigeron species)
In different regions, the Brown Hooded Owlet Moth may have specific habitat preferences, which could influence its local distribution.
However, overall, the moth is quite adaptable and capable of living in various environments throughout its range in North America.
Threats and Predators
Common Threats
The Brown Hooded Owlet Moth faces various threats in its environment. Some key factors are:
- Predators: Natural predators of this moth species include birds, bats, and spiders.
- Parasites: Parasitic wasps and tachinid flies can attack the caterpillars, laying eggs inside them.
- Environmental factors: Harsh weather conditions, such as extreme temperatures and heavy rain, can directly affect their survival rate.
Brown Hooded Owlet Moths maintain a balance within their ecosystem through their role as prey for many predators.
Conclusion
The Brown Hooded Owlet Moth, scientifically termed as Cucullia convexipennis, is a nocturnal marvel native to North America.
With its distinctive brown hues and unique wing patterns, it stands out in the moth world.
As a member of the Noctuidae family, it plays a crucial role in pollination, ensuring ecological balance.
Its life cycle, spanning from egg to adult, is a testament to nature’s wonders.
Despite facing threats from predators and environmental factors, this moth continues to thrive, showcasing its resilience.
Delving into its world not only offers insights into its existence but also underscores the significance of every creature in our ecosystem.
Footnotes
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| Brown Hooded Owlet Caterpillar | Unicorn Caterpillar |
61 Comments. Leave new
Hi Bugman,
Thanks for trying. I’ll keep searching as well.
Do you have any idea why so many moths of different species would congregate at one place? There were black and white witches, various sphinx and hawkmoths, and a bunch of other, smaller species like this one and a melonworm moth.
Were they attracted to the lights? If so, why did this phenomenon appear here and not elsewhere? And during the daytime?
Very curious!
Hi Ben,
You did not provide any photos of the moth congregation. If there was sap oozing from a tree, rotting fruit or any other sweet substance, the moths may have been attracted to a food source. Collectors often “sugar for moths” as a means of collecting. There is a page describing the process of sugaring for moths on Bill Oehlke’s website and on the Michigan Entomological Society’s website as well as numerous other places on the world wide web. Your comment mentions White Witches, and we hope you can send us a photo of a White Witch to add to our site as this huge and beautiful species is not well represented on our site.
Thank you Karl! It’s great to give this little guy a name.
Ben
Edibility comment:
The fact that these caterpillars generally eat goldenrod and aster makes me think that they’re edible. But this is a tricky area of insect consumption, and the only reasonable position is to treat all insect species as one would wild mushrooms: unless there’s previous documentation confirming edibility through previous consumption, avoid eating any.
I have seen some commentary suggesting that all smooth-skinned caterpillars are safe to eat. I can’t recommend such a policy. There are some beetle species in North America that can probably kill the human consumer, and the same might be true of some North American lepidoptera.
Thanks, you guys rock!!!
I finally managed to track the species down… it’s a Cream-Striped Owl Moth (Cyligramma latona)
Twistedlizzard
Glad we steered you in the right direction. We also had a longtime contributor Karl make the correction.
This sure looks like a catalpa worm to me!
Dear cakelady,
The Catalpa Sphinx does have very similar markings, however, we cannot make out a caudal horn in the photos, so we don’t think that is a correct identification.
The variation in a single species of insect is amazing.
Yellow and black caterpillars w/ kinda brown head , about 3 to 4 inches . Lots heading into my swimming pool . What is it ?
Thanks so much! I sent a similar photo to a friend of mine that I’m sure will always know the answer and he forwarded me to your site. We live in SW CO and ours were also feeding on asters. Quite stunning caterpillars. Thanks.
Hi,
I have found a large caterpillar on my Arum lilies, it looks like an elephant Hawk moth caterpillar. But I have not seen any moths that resemble this moth. We have huge brown moths that look like the owlet moth but the caterpillars don’t look like theirs.
any idea.?
According to ISpot, the Silver-Striped Hawkmoth, Hippotion celerio, is fond of the leaves of the Arum Lily.
Hi,
I have found a large caterpillar on my Arum lilies, it looks like an elephant Hawk moth caterpillar. But I have not seen any moths that resemble this moth. We have huge brown moths that look like the owlet moth but the caterpillars don’t look like theirs.
any idea.?
I found an owl moth indoors,when i presented a rotton banana,half peeled,she fed for 10 min.After 1 hr.she allowed me to
pick her up and as i released her she immediately rose vertically to at least 200m.She probed with her proboscus between the banana skin and the banana when feeding. CREAM STRIPED OWL MOTH
Hi Barry
Thanks for the tip re the banana. I did the same and it fed for 2 hours and had not moved by the time I went to bed. The next morning, a Sundowner Moth was on the banana. I have to giggle when I see a Sundowner Moth in our house, cos they are attracted to the smell of sherry and beer. Need I say more.
I found an owl moth indoors,when i presented a rotton banana,half peeled,she fed for 10 min.After 1 hr.she allowed me to
pick her up and as i released her she immediately rose vertically to at least 200m.She probed with her proboscus between the banana skin and the banana when feeding. CREAM STRIPED OWL MOTH
Hi Barry
Thanks for the tip re the banana. I did the same and it fed for 2 hours and had not moved by the time I went to bed. The next morning, a Sundowner Moth was on the banana. I have to giggle when I see a Sundowner Moth in our house, cos they are attracted to the smell of sherry and beer. Need I say more.
Thank you kindly for your quick identification. Especially during a holiday weekend. I had looked at so many caterpillars on the internet that they were all starting to look alike. Also I am honored to have this as the Bug of the Month since this is my birthday month. I view your site on a daily basis and have learned not to swap but to snap a photo!
Caterpillar identification can be quite daunting. Happy Birthday and we are thrilled to feature your image as the Bug of the Month.
This is actually Tarache delecta. I have collected a few in MO that are being confirmed by Dr. David Wagner of U Conn.
BugGuide has no images of Tarache delecta caterpillars, and furthermore, we were unable to locate any images anywhere online of the caterpillar. Can you provide us with a link?
Looks like Autographa californica (the Alfalfa Looper) to me!
We believe you might be correct, and BugGuide notes: “adults are active day and night, and are attracted to light.”
Beautiful.
It could be Letis sp.
Thanks Cesar. We are linking to this FlickR image. Did you find a better match? If so, we would love a link.
I couldn’t find a better match. But I tried to overlay the images using transparency. Shape and coloration was different, but it can be perspctive and color adjustment, patterns seems to me to be a perfect match:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-De9qmmuAA/VdIWXSEJyVI/AAAAAAAAf90/a1fpic-omKI/s1600/Letis_WTB.jpg
Species Cucullia alfarata – Camphorweed Cucullia – Hodges#10192 – BugGuide. June 4-7.
I don’t think the pictured caterpillar is The Asteroid; I’m thinking it is this one:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/1140220/bgimage
Like the Asteroid, the Green Owlet caterpillar feeds on goldenrod and asters.
Thanks for the correction.
I don’t think the pictured caterpillar is The Asteroid; I’m thinking it is this one:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/1140220/bgimage
Like the Asteroid, the Green Owlet caterpillar feeds on goldenrod and asters.
Some Sympistis look like this
http://bugguide.net/node/view/254407/bgimage
We agree that this does indeed look like a Scribbled Sallow Caterpillar, which was apparently originally misidentified as a Hooded Owlet Moth Caterpillar.
We have lots of them hear in Namibia. I see that the pods of the Acacia trees are falling off, with small holes in it. Can it be the they are coming out of the pods?
How come we are seeing so many Owlet Moths in South Africa at the moment – especially during daytime hours?
The weather conditions must be ideal. We located this image on iSpot that supports a population explosion this year.
Hi. What does the owlet moths lavae and caterpillar look like. Do they also feed on garden vegetables and garden lilies?
Sandvieltrust has an image that might be the Caterpillar of an Owlet Moth from South Africa. We have not been successful in determining a food plant.
That’s fantastic!
I also had this lovely visitor numerous times in just this week, just saw one now. Now I know what they are called… thanks y’all
We have the owlet moth in our house, many of them, dozens actually. Many people in Johannesburg have the same experience. We have lived in the same house for 20 years and never before have we had this moth and so many of them. Why? Where do they come from? It’s almost like an invasion.
Populations rise and fall with weather conditions and food supply. This is probably part of a natural cycle.
We had 14 in our house on thursday, 8 on friday. I live on a farm in South Africa, 100m from the sea. Went for walk on rocks – low equinox tides. Was accompanied all the way by these moths, even when I had my swim. They often have pieces out of their wings and if handled, the scales come off easier than any other moth around here. My husband thinks Im crazy cos I talk to them!!!
I currently have four of these beauties in my house. The most I’ve ever seen at one time. And don’t worry, Marion, I also talk to them! 🙂
PS: I also live quite close to the sea in northern KZN.
I currently have four of these beauties in my house. The most I’ve ever seen at one time. And don’t worry, Marion, I also talk to them! 🙂
PS: I also live quite close to the sea in northern KZN.
Hi Liza, we have at least 8 every night. Im going to miss them so much when they no longer come here. Im glad Im not the only one who talks to them
We also have a Sundowner Moth Spingomorpha chlorea – they are attracted by the smell of beer and sherry – visit us often. Ive never seen them before. We live just north of East London on the Wild Coast.
Marion
Hi Liza, we have at least 8 every night. Im going to miss them so much when they no longer come here. Im glad Im not the only one who talks to them
We also have a Sundowner Moth Spingomorpha chlorea – they are attracted by the smell of beer and sherry – visit us often. Ive never seen them before. We live just north of East London on the Wild Coast.
Marion
Hi Marion. I live just north of Richards Bay. Sadly I only have three of these beautiful moths left as one of my other housemates ( geckos) must have got hold of one. I only found bits of shredded wings on my floor the next morning. 🙁
Hi Liza
Its full moon tonight and we are inundated with them again tonight. I was totally amazed to find a few really small ones of about 1cm. Im must so happy to see them again.
Marion
Hi Liza
Its full moon tonight and we are inundated with them again tonight. I was totally amazed to find a few really small ones of about 1cm. Im must so happy to see them again.
Marion
This is the white-dotted groundling caterpillar (Condica videns), not an asteroid or owlet.
I got an expert opinion and she told me to kill it, that it was a tent caterpillar. I feel awful now because it wasn’t that at all. I feel so bad.
This is not a Geometrid. Too many pair of abdominal prolegs. It is the Curve-lined Owlet, Phyprosopus callitrichoides. See BugGuide here: https://bugguide.net/node/view/446928/bgimage
Thanks for the correction. We will update the posting.
We live in Durbanville and also have this beautiful owlet moth in our house and yes we love bananas. My Biewer terrier also loves haunting it, so I am guardian of this creature. It flutters around at night and during the day. I hope it stays around long enough so that I can also strike up a conversation.
Letis iphianasse
Looks like Basilodes chrysopis
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=9780
Thanks so much for the identification assistance.
It appears to be a mimic of the Plain Tiger butterfly (Danaus chrysippus)
Dargida procinctus – Olive Green Cutworm https://bugguide.net/node/view/15575/bgimage